Vandelay

Sacred Architecture Guide

Sacred architecture in the catalogue spans from mid-century Modernist chapels to 21st-century monumental churches — buildings where architectural form serves spiritual experience. 16 Sacred buildings across 10 cities demonstrate how light, material, and volume create the conditions for contemplation.

The highest concentration is in Berlin (6 buildings). These are not Gothic cathedrals but modern reinterpretations of the sacred: Düttmann's St. Agnes in Berlin strips church architecture to raw concrete geometry; Böhm's Wallfahrt Neviges folds concrete into a crystalline mountain; Le Corbusier's La Tourette uses Brutalist concrete for monastic silence.

Architecture at a Glance

16 buildings 10 cities 6 countries 24 architects

How to Recognize Modern Sacred Architecture

Modern sacred buildings translate spiritual intent into contemporary form.

Materials

Concrete dominates, used for its capacity to channel light and create monumental enclosure. Brick appears in Expressionist sacred buildings (Grundtvig's Church). Glass is used sparingly but strategically — narrow slits, hidden clerestories, coloured panels that transform interior light.

Forms & Massing

Monumental volumes that create a sense of scale beyond the human. Towers, spires, or bell structures that mark the building in the skyline. Böhm's Wallfahrt Neviges rises as a faceted concrete mountain; the Temple of Divine Providence in Warsaw is a geometric composition of interlocking forms.

Details

  • Light as primary material — narrow openings that direct light into dark interiors

  • Monumental entrances that create a threshold between secular and sacred

  • Vertical emphasis — the eye is pulled upward

  • Acoustic design visible in the architecture (concrete folds, angled surfaces)

  • Minimal ornament — the space itself is the statement

Explore Sacred buildings in person

Get exact locations, navigate to buildings, scan with AR, and filter by Sacred style.

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Notable Sacred Buildings

Explore all 16 Sacred buildings in the Vandelay app.

Discover all 16 Sacred buildings

Full list with AR scanning, nearby buildings, and walking directions — only in the app.

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Sacred Architects

Sacred Architecture by Country

Sacred Architecture by City

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Sacred buildings are in the guide?
The guide features 16 Sacred buildings across 10 cities in 6 countries.
Where can I find Sacred architecture?
Sacred buildings can be found in Berlin (6), Warsaw (2), Syracuse (1), and 7 more cities.
Which architects are known for Sacred buildings?
Notable Sacred architects include Hermann Fehling, Gottfried Böhm, George Braun, and 21 more.
Is there an app for exploring Sacred architecture?
Yes — the Vandelay app offers a free AR map for self-guided architecture walks. Filter by Sacred style to discover buildings, scan them to learn their stories, and explore at your own pace.

Your guide to Sacred architecture

Exact locations, AR scanning, self-guided walks, and the full building catalogue — free in the Vandelay app.

Download on the App Store